How to Use Continue

A beginner-friendly guide to getting started with Continue in 2026.

Price Free plan available
Best For developers, open source advocates, privacy focused devs
Rating ★★★★ 4.3/5

Getting Started: Step by Step

1

Create your Continue account

Visit Continue's website and sign up for a free account. You'll need an email address to get started.

2

Set up your workspace

Once signed in, configure your Continue workspace. Set your preferences, invite team members if needed, and customize the interface to match your workflow.

3

Explore autocomplete

One of Continue's key features is autocomplete. Navigate to this feature and experiment with it to understand how it fits into your workflow.

4

Explore chat

One of Continue's key features is chat. Navigate to this feature and experiment with it to understand how it fits into your workflow.

5

Explore inline-editing

One of Continue's key features is inline-editing. Navigate to this feature and experiment with it to understand how it fits into your workflow.

6

Integrate with your existing tools

Connect Continue with the other tools you use daily. Most integrations can be set up in the settings or integrations panel.

7

Start using it for real work

Now that you're set up, start using Continue for actual tasks. The best way to learn is by doing — don't worry about getting everything perfect right away.

Pro Tips

  • Start with the free plan or trial to explore Continue's capabilities before committing to a paid subscription.
  • Use keyboard shortcuts to speed up your workflow — most tools have extensive shortcut systems.
  • Check Continue's official documentation and community forums for advanced tips and best practices.
  • Review your workflow after 2 weeks of use and adjust your setup based on what's working and what isn't.

Key Features to Explore

autocomplete
chat
inline-editing
multi-model-support
context-providers
custom-commands

Alternatives to Consider

If Continue isn't the right fit, here are some similar tools:

Ready to Try Continue?

Open-source AI code assistant IDE extension that connects any LLM to VS Code or JetBrains, with autocomplete, chat, and inline editing capabilities.

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